Monday, November 28, 2016

Sola Gratia * By Grace Alone

O come let us sing praises unto our Lord!
Hello dear friends ~
While spending quiet time alone with my Lord
and looking into the Scriptures, I came to learn
something wonderful that I did not know.
In Latin, Sola Gratia means "by grace alone."
Isn't that wonderful!
As I read those words "by grace alone" I began to think about Paul.
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee,
for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 2:9a) 


Believers are committed to the idea that we are saved by grace
"For by grace are ye saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) 
but sometimes forget that we must live by grace as well.
Sola Gratia ~ By grace alone.
What is grace? It is God's provision for our every need when we need it.
"And of his fullness have all we received and grace for grace." (John 1:16)
The superabundance of grace that has been displayed by God
toward mankind, especially believers.
"Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children
by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.
To the praise and glory of his grace wherein
he hath made us accepted in the beloved." (Ephesians 1:5-7) 
Sufficient grace, there is never a shortage of grace.


God is sufficient for our spiritual ministries (2Corinthians 3:4-6)
"And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves; but our
sufficiency is of God."
Our material needs (2Corinthians 9:8)
"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; 
that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things,
may abound to every good work."
Our physical needs (2Corinthians 12:9)
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee,
for my strength is made perfect in weakness."
If God is sufficient to save us, then surely He is sufficient to keep us
and strengthen us in our times of suffering.  


God's grace is a strengthening grace.
God permits us to become weak so that we might receive His strength.
It is a continual process in a believers life.
The weaker we are as His instrument the more dearly
God's grace shines forth.
O glory to God!
Dear friends ~ whenever you are going through suffering,
spend extra time in the Word of God; 
and you can be sure God will speak to you.
God gives us His promises, not an explanation, but His promises to live on.
"My grace is sufficient for thee."
Our feelings change, but God's promises never change.
Promises generate faith, and faith strengthens hope.
Paul claimed God's promises and drew on the grace that was offered to him.
God did not change Paul's situation by removing the affliction,
but rather He gave him the amount of grace that was needed when he needed it. 

********

"Our God is the God of all grace." (Peter 5:10)
and His throne is a "throne of grace." (Hebrews 4:16)
The Word of God is "the Word of His grace." (Acts 20:32)
and the promise is that "He giveth more grace." (James 4:6)
In every aspect of our lives God is adequate for every need that we have.
The promises are right at our fingertips found in the Scriptures.
 Our responsibility is to claim them and live by them.
Sola Gratia ~ by grace alone God will build our character
so that we are more like our Savior, and all for His glory.

Precious Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your grace.
Cause us to claim your promises
for our every day lives
Amen. 

Joy!
~ Debbie ~ 
 

19 comments:

NanaDiana said...

Don't you love Charles Spurgeon? He is one of my husband's favorites.
Hope you have a blessed week. xo Diana

Stephanie said...

Good morning! While you shared some of these lovely thoughts with me last week it was still a blessing and encouragement to read them this morning. Sola-Gratia has stuck with me ever since you shared it with me {{smiles}}

Thank you for being such a beautiful testimony to others. Have a glorious day and enjoy your tea time today. Love you!

Cheryl said...

Wonderful, beautiful, much-needed encouragement this morning, sweet friend! Have a lovely day in God's grace! Sending you love and hugs. :)

Karen said...

This is an awesome post! A verse that I cling to is Isaiah 29: He gives power to the faint and to those who have no might He increases strength. Thank you for sharing these truths.

hobbyloes said...

How beautiful is that: My grace is sufficient for thee.
We need that every day and its all for free.
Have a blessed week!

Debby Ray said...

If the Lord gave us nothing else, grace alone is truly all we need. This is a beautiful post, Debbie...thank you for sharing this truth this morning! Hugs to you, sweet friend!

Sandi said...

Grace is a powerful thing.

Anne Payne said...

Dearest Debbie, This is a beautiful post about God's grace! It sure has encouraged me today. Love & hugs~

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

I often believe that your posts are written just for me, Debbie, because they come to me when I need them the most. I love the thought that there is never a shortage of grace! Sola gratia, what a beautiful thought that I will remember very often. Thank you for your encouraging and heartfelt post, my friend.

Anonymous said...

Oh Sweet Debbie...thank you so much for sharing such beautiful words. Our Lord's Grace is sufficient! :0) mari

Vee said...

Thank God that He has an inexhaustible supply of grace. My needs can never be more than He can handle. Wonderful scriptures you have shared.

Debbie, I see that you credit your lovely daughter with your blog design. Wanted you to know that it very much appeals to this lover of yellow.

Pamela M. Steiner said...

"Grace, grace, God's grace...grace that will pardon and cleanse within.." So thankful for God's Amazing grace. Loved this post and the beautiful pictures. Reminded me that my ONE Word for 2016 was GRACE. God's grace has been a constant friend and companion for me. So grateful.

Deborah Montgomery said...

What a beautiful post Debbie. Like Vee, I am grateful that there is an inexhaustible supply of His grace for each of us. Praying for you as you minister to others during this holy season. xo Deborah

Marilyn Mathis said...

Gorgeous post. Love the beautiful pictures of God's works of art. It is by "grace" alone that we receive anything of value. We serve an amazing God with Amazing Grace for all of us. Thank you for the reminder. Hugs.

Lady Linda said...

Such a meaningful post dear Debbie.It is just wonderful to read your post and I love how you have shared so many wonderful scripture verses that you have gathered together. GRACE! Lots to ponder and lots to be thankful for. Hope you are having a good week.

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

Deb, visiting your blog is like refreshment for my soul!

Thank you for such beautiful devotionals.

Have a blessed Advent Season. Hugs and love. ♥♥♥

Linda Walker said...

Dear Debbie,
How lovely and inspirational this post is. Amazing grace! Your photos are so beautiful too....so serene. Hope you are enjoying the weekend. Wishing you a wonderful week ahead too!
Sending love,
Linda

Sylvia said...

Beautiful photo's and verses are encouraging!
Have a very Merry Christmas,Debbie!

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

Such a beautiful study on the boundless topic of grace! A study I did some time ago on grace started with the meaning of grace - essentially grace is the unmerited favor of God. It is incredible to realize the gift of grace is the favor of the Lord towards us, unmerited, and undeserved, given to help us grow in Him.

I really enjoyed your thoughts on grace, and how marvelous to know that we can lean on, and rest in His grace in the moments and times in our lives when, as you said, suffering abounds. Yet the more difficult the situation, the greater His grace comes to us, to help and keep us through that time.

I enjoyed your pictures too, the one of the cross leaning into the water, as was the tree, so beautiful!

With many prayers and hugs to you dear friend, praying that the grace of the Lord will continue to grow sweeter and more real in your heart through the situation you are in! I am praying for you!!! Hugs :)

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